A star younger than our Sun but of similar size has scientists worried, and they say people should worry too. The star, known as EK Draconis, lies dozens of light-years away and is spewing out large plumes of fireworks. Scientists recently witnessed it have a burst of energy and discharge of charged particles so powerful that the Sun has never experienced it. The sun often causes post-solar mass ejection (CME) solar storms. But the star experienced an energetic outburst at least 10 times larger than the largest CME the Sun has ever recorded, scientists say. They added that the Sun could also experience a massive outburst like this; it could be even worse.
When the Sun has a CME, it sends highly charged particles into space and toward Earth along with the solar wind. These solar storms can cause damage to satellites and power grids if they remain strong enough after reaching Earth’s atmosphere.
To carry out the study, scientists monitored EK Draconis through a telescope last year. Research has linked superflares to ejections and suggests that the same could happen on Earth. However, they added, the Sun is calmer and such extreme events are unlikely.
The researchers, including astrophysicist Yuta Notsu of the University of Colorado Boulder, published their findings in the journal Natural Astronomy.
“This type of mass ejection could theoretically also occur on our sun,” said Notsu statement. “This observation could help us better understand how similar events may have affected Earth and even Mars over billions of years.”
While this study serves as a warning, what it does do is also raise questions about how the Sun was active when it was young and more likely to undergo eruptions. such strong.
